Damage micromechanisms in alumina hybrid bilayers with graded interfaces. This project proposes a new design concept for high performance alumina hybrids with graded interfaces. The key to this process is the incorporation of thin graded interfaces between an outer homogeneous alumina layer for strength, hardness and wear resistance, and an inner heterogeneous alumina hybrid layer for damage tolerance. The project will explore unresolved issues concerning the effect of graded interfaces on the f ....Damage micromechanisms in alumina hybrid bilayers with graded interfaces. This project proposes a new design concept for high performance alumina hybrids with graded interfaces. The key to this process is the incorporation of thin graded interfaces between an outer homogeneous alumina layer for strength, hardness and wear resistance, and an inner heterogeneous alumina hybrid layer for damage tolerance. The project will explore unresolved issues concerning the effect of graded interfaces on the failure micromechanisms. Advances in this area will provide new strategy or insights for designing novel next generation layered materials.Read moreRead less
Determination of the Properties of Hyper-Elastic Materials by Deep Indentation. We seek to develop the scientific basis for the interpretation of the results of "deep" indentation testing of non-linear elastic (hyper-elastic) materials. Simple tests (such as indentation) produce complex strain fields. Interpretation of the resulting data in terms of stiffness, for example, requires a complex model of the deformation process that can be utilised to link the observed behaviour to the basic prope ....Determination of the Properties of Hyper-Elastic Materials by Deep Indentation. We seek to develop the scientific basis for the interpretation of the results of "deep" indentation testing of non-linear elastic (hyper-elastic) materials. Simple tests (such as indentation) produce complex strain fields. Interpretation of the resulting data in terms of stiffness, for example, requires a complex model of the deformation process that can be utilised to link the observed behaviour to the basic properties of interest. This project is dedicated to an understanding of the complex deformation associated with large strain indentation of hyper-elastic materials and structures, development of finite element based models for this deformation and creation of techniques for interpretation of the results of such indentation tests.Read moreRead less
Failure modes in ceramic-based layer structures: Relevance to failure of dental crowns. With the aging of our population, issues concerning the lifetime of biological system are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our society. This project is closely linked to the development of prosthetic materials and structures that will improve performance and life of biomechanical devices, by providing better understanding to the mechanics of failure and failure origins of ceramic-ba ....Failure modes in ceramic-based layer structures: Relevance to failure of dental crowns. With the aging of our population, issues concerning the lifetime of biological system are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our society. This project is closely linked to the development of prosthetic materials and structures that will improve performance and life of biomechanical devices, by providing better understanding to the mechanics of failure and failure origins of ceramic-based dental crowns and restorations, and to develop materials that will withstand exacting conditions - in body fluids - over extended lifetimes. Crown replacement is by far the most widespread of all prosthetic procedures. This project promises to help bridge the gap between physical and medical science in Australia. Read moreRead less
Multi-scale Modelling and Simulation of Self-assembling Photonic Crystals. By using bandgaps and introduced defect states, photonic crystals provide the opportunities to shape and mould the flow of light. A success in fabricating 3D photonic crystals with complete bandgaps in a controllable and large-scale fashion will revolutionise the information & telecommunication industry. This ability will provide Australia with a significant niche opportunity at the leading edge of this frontier technolog ....Multi-scale Modelling and Simulation of Self-assembling Photonic Crystals. By using bandgaps and introduced defect states, photonic crystals provide the opportunities to shape and mould the flow of light. A success in fabricating 3D photonic crystals with complete bandgaps in a controllable and large-scale fashion will revolutionise the information & telecommunication industry. This ability will provide Australia with a significant niche opportunity at the leading edge of this frontier technology. It builds on Australia's established strength in material science, photonics, and information & communication technology. The mathematical models, simulation platform, and fabrication methods developed in this project will also be applicable to creating other highly-structured, functional materials.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel and practical method for fabricating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for automotive applications. An effective, economical and environmentally friendly technology will be developed by this project to fabricate carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites. The thus obtained products will be applied as automotive parts.
Bio-inspired design to overcome strength-toughness trade-off of composites. This project aims to develop nature-inspired metal composites of exceptional mechanical properties that push the known boundaries of engineering materials. The design utilises a phase transforming metal to transcribe the attributes of biopolymers in nacre to harness the exceptional intrinsic strength of interatomic bonds at atomic scale and to devise adaptive ability for load redistribution for toughness at the macroscop ....Bio-inspired design to overcome strength-toughness trade-off of composites. This project aims to develop nature-inspired metal composites of exceptional mechanical properties that push the known boundaries of engineering materials. The design utilises a phase transforming metal to transcribe the attributes of biopolymers in nacre to harness the exceptional intrinsic strength of interatomic bonds at atomic scale and to devise adaptive ability for load redistribution for toughness at the macroscopic scale. The expected outcomes are an innovative bio-inspired material design strategy that may underpin the creation of many novel high-performance structural composites of unmatched strength and toughness properties, and potential to support new applications and to value-add Australia’s materials manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Evolution of Contact Damage in Layer Structures. Brittle layer structures (eg brittle coating on ceramic substrate) can be much more damage tolerant than their constituent material components - cracks tend to remain contained within the coating. Very little is known about the factors that control this behaviour. This project will exploit unique local expertise in modelling damage evolution to fill a niche in a large study being carried out at the National Institute of Standards (NIST) in the U ....Evolution of Contact Damage in Layer Structures. Brittle layer structures (eg brittle coating on ceramic substrate) can be much more damage tolerant than their constituent material components - cracks tend to remain contained within the coating. Very little is known about the factors that control this behaviour. This project will exploit unique local expertise in modelling damage evolution to fill a niche in a large study being carried out at the National Institute of Standards (NIST) in the U.S.A. An understanding of the factors that maximise the containment of cracks is essential to the design and development of the next generation of advanced layer composites for many biomechanical and other engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Hybrid materials with tunable mechanical response via topological interlocking and embedded kinematic agents. The project investigates a new approach to materials design targeting the inner architecture of materials. Such materials will be multifunctional and responsive to external fields. Applications include sound- and vibration-absorbing cladding, morphing aerospace and automotive materials, and protective civil engineering structures.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100057
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
A high-resolution X-ray microtomography system. This project aims to establish a Scanco microCT 50 high resolution X-Ray microtomography system, to non-destructively visualise and quantitatively characterise complex samples, including advanced composites, tissue engineering constructs, biological tissues, minerals and fossils. The non-destructive characterisation of these samples is critical to advance research. The versatile system offers high spatial resolution (down to 500 nm voxel size) and ....A high-resolution X-ray microtomography system. This project aims to establish a Scanco microCT 50 high resolution X-Ray microtomography system, to non-destructively visualise and quantitatively characterise complex samples, including advanced composites, tissue engineering constructs, biological tissues, minerals and fossils. The non-destructive characterisation of these samples is critical to advance research. The versatile system offers high spatial resolution (down to 500 nm voxel size) and large sample size (up to 100 mm diameter). The project will enable progress in advanced composites, additive bio-manufacturing, physiology of biological tissues and palaeontology which will benefit Australian science. Additionally, through commercialisation and the formation of new companies, the project could potentially result in economic and health benefits to the wider Australian population and economy.Read moreRead less
Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. This project aims to develop electrically conductive, mechanically robust, cost-effective elastomeric composites, by exploring new processing methods and studying the synergy between graphene sheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Composites will be design, research and manufactured to suit the fabrication of rolling-resistance sensors that detect early-stage malfu ....Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. This project aims to develop electrically conductive, mechanically robust, cost-effective elastomeric composites, by exploring new processing methods and studying the synergy between graphene sheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Composites will be design, research and manufactured to suit the fabrication of rolling-resistance sensors that detect early-stage malfunctioning idler rolls. This technology could prevent the breakage of conveyor belts which are essential to the mining, processing and transportation of loose bulk materials; and improve the design and manufacturing of flexible sensors.Read moreRead less